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Informative Articles

Are You New To Garden Fish Ponds?
My friend Peter J May, one of the UK's top water gardening landscapers puts it best. He says "To have the sight and sound of water near them in a garden has been an almost instinctive urge to people of all cultures in all ages. Now as then, the...
Attracting Wild Birds
As more land is used to accommodate the ever-growing human population, yards and city parks become important bird habitat. Diversified landscaping and feeding stations offer an oasis of resources in the middle of human domain. Feeding and watching...
How to Grow Wildflowers
You are welcome to use this article on your website or in your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an...
Planning A Serenity Garden
"Kiss of the sun for pardon. Song of the birds for mirth. You're closer to God's heart in a garden than any place else on earth." -- Dorothy Frances Gurney It’s an oft-quoted (and misquoted! I had to look it up for the exact words) poem. Dorothy...
Things to consider while designing a guest bedroom.
A bedroom is a place where we relax. Depending upon the age group normally bedrooms are categorized as master bedroom, teen bedroom, child/kid bedroom. But a home building may also have a provision for a guest bedroom in it. If the architect...
 
Creative Landscaping with Railroad Ties

Creative Landscaping with Railroad Ties
Article by Jack Stone
Copyright © 2003 by ProGardenBiz
ProGardenBiz, an online magazine
http://www.progardenbiz.com

Did you know that people are still using railroad ties for all
sorts of decorative and functional purposes throughout their
landscapes? You didn't? Well, where have you been? Railroad ties
are used by landscape contractors as a main design component of
landscaping both homes and businesses. The use of railroad ties
make work easier for grounds maintenance.

Before we talk about all the great things you can do with
railroad ties let's talk about how easy and inexpensive they are
to use when compared to various brick and block structures. The
nicest thing about railroad ties is the ease with which they can
be used. It requires much less skill to construct a retaining
wall of ties than one of block. For one thing you don't have to
be overly concerned about perfectly straight lines. While
railroad ties may cost as much as brick or block per square foot
to purchase they cost only 1/4th the time in labor to install.
Consider how much money that could save, especially if you have
to subcontract out the brick or block work to a mason.

Creative uses of railroad ties are limited only by your
imagination. They can be stacked horizontally, vertically, or
diagonally. They can be staggered front to back or top to
bottom. They can border lawns as a mowing strip or set off
ground cover from gravel beds. They can be used as risers for
stairs or as terraces on a slope.
-

How about a walkway or driveway? How about a fence? Stand them
upright and spaced 3" to 6" apart. Or, stand them upright on a
diagonal so that from one angle they appear to be a solid wall
but from another afford a view. Cut them into 2 foot lengths and
create a basket weave walkway. Why stop there? How about a
jumbled collection of short sections stacked amongst some
boulders or to frame a flower bed? Have a steep hill that's
slowly washing away? Terrace it with a series of short retaining
walls. Tired of the boring expanse of iceplant on a slope? Break
it up with groupings of railroad ties.

Separate irrigation areas (i.e. lawns, flower beds, and trees).
Stand one upright and stick a mail box on it or a concrete
seagull! Better yet you can make some real nice walkway lights.
Use railroad ties to define- water effects like ponds or
fountains. Ties can be integrated


into waterscapes as well as
landscapes.

Maintenance gardeners appreciate the use of railroad ties to
divide lawn areas from the garden areas because of the durable
nature of the tie. The use of ties around parking areas will
protect your sprinklers from damage. Mowing and edging along
ties is easy with a line trimmer and saves time on lawn
maintenance.

If you have your own growing grounds for nusery plants then
loose ties can be easily used for dividing areas and controlling
invasive weeds.

All it takes to install railroad ties is a hammer, some chisels
and gouges, and a heavy drill with a long sharp boring bit.

-There! That should give you a few ideas. See? Railroad ties can
be used for all sorts of things.

Railroad ties come in many different shapes, sizes and grades.
These factors can be very important in determining the price of
the ties. Not all railroad ties are the same. Some come rough cut
and others are smooth and even-cornered. Some are pressure
treated and creosoted while others are only creosoted. When
ordering or selecting railroad ties measure their height, depth,
and length to make sure that they meet your planned
specifications. Nothing can be more frustrating then to have ties
that are two inches shorter than you planned.

The creative use of railroad ties will enhance your landscapes,
decrease your labor costs in grounds maintenance, and are easy to
work with and install.

Think of using railroad ties on your next landscaping project.
__________________________________________

About the Author:

Jack Stone is a Contributing Editor for ProGardenBiz Magazine,
an online magazine for professional gardeners and landscape
contractors. Visit ProGardenBiz to find out how you can get a
free subscription, start-up guidance, business ideas and
inspiration at http://www.progardenbiz.com.
__________________________________________

You have permission to publish this article electronically or
in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included.
Must be published complete with no changes.
A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

About the Author

Jack Stone is a Contributing Editor for ProGardenBiz Magazine,
an online magazine for professional gardeners and landscape
contractors. Visit ProGardenBiz to find out how you can get a
free subscription, start-up guidance, business ideas and
inspiration at http://www.progardenbiz.com.

 

Landscaping Ideas | Landscape Design | Landscaping Pictures
Information for homeowners on hardscape and softscape elements in landscape design. Includes a chat room and forum.
landscaping.about.com
 
Gardening - Landscaping
Design a landscape that works best with your yard, deck and home.
www.homeandfamilynetwork.com
 
Gardening
Find all the information you need to plan and design a beautiful garden for your landscape. Get zone maps, garden plans and the plant and flower index to ...
www.homeandfamilynetwork.com
 
Landscaping - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Landscaping refers to any activity that modifies the visible features of an ... Landscaping also refers to building a model landscape such as model train ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
Landscape architecture - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The activities of a landscape architect can range from the creation of ... Landscape designers, like garden designers, design all types of planting and ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
Gardening Landscaping & Design - Landscape Gardening for Patios ...
Learn more about landscape gardening and design for patios and decks from Home & Garden Television.
www.hgtv.com
 
EERE Consumer's Guide: Landscaping
On average, landscaping for energy efficiency provides enough energy savings ... Use energy-efficient landscaping strategies based on your regional climate. ...
www.eere.energy.gov
 
Planning the Home Landscape
Advice and tips for planning, preparing, and constructing a new landscape area.
aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu
 
Landscaping Ideas, Designs, Pictures and Plans for the Home.
Respond?s community provides landscaping ideas for the home. Find landscaping designs, pictures and plans to help you design the best landscape for your ...
landscaping.respond.com
 
Landscape Design Services and Earth-Friendly Garden Products for ...
Landscaping resource for the do-it-yourself homeowner featuring interactive online landscape design.
clearwaterlandscapes.com
 
Landscaping & Design
Turn your yard into a spectacular showpiece, whether you're planning all-new landscaping or hoping to update a flower bed.
www.bhg.com
 
Great Lakes Environment: Greenacres-Green Landscaping
A key source of Great Lakes environmental information.
www.epa.gov
 
Landscaping - Outdoors - homesite.com.au
Landscaping - homesite.com.au, Australia’s No.1 home and garden web site.
www.homesite.com.au
 
H2ouse.org : Tour : Landscaping
Attractive gardens and landscape add to the value of your home and bring ... Upgrade the look of your landscape by learning the how-to's of proper lawn care ...
www.h2ouse.org
 
Landscapers | Landscaping
Get matched to local Landscape, Decks and Fences contractors for your home improvement projects. ServiceMagic's network of Landscape, Decks and Fences ...
www.servicemagic.com
 
Complete Landscape Design for Do It Yourselfers
Do it yourself tips, tricks, guidelines, and resources for home landscape design.
www.the-landscape-design-site.com
 
Landscaping Ideas | 2854 + Landscaping Pictures
Landscaping Ideas To Make Your Homes Beautiful. ... Click here to access all 4290+ landscaping photos, and get instant access to valuable savings coupons to ...
www.landscapingideasonline.com
 
Landscaping for Energy Efficiency
Are you looking for cost-effective yet eye-pleasing ways to lower your energy bills? Planting trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and hedges could be the answer.
www.pioneerthinking.com
 
Edible Landscaping Online
Only the most productive disease resistant varieties make it onto the approved list here at Edible Landscaping. Our plants are guaranteed to arrive healthy ...
www.ediblelandscaping.com
 
Free Landscaping Ideas, Landscapes, Front Yard, Garden Landscaping
Landscaping ideas that transform your boring, unattractive yard into the picture perfect oasis you've always dreamed of. Find out h...
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Content Menu
  • 10 ways to survive building or remodeling your home

  • 12 considerations when choosing contemporary lighting

  • 3 great reasons to shop for home lighting online

  • 3 tips in landscaping your garden

  • 5 external climatic factors that affect an interior design project

  • 5 reasons fireplace owners think early spring is firewood time

  • 5 styles of rug hooking to choose from

  • 7 easy steps to attract more birds to your yard

  • 8 lawn care tips for your garden

  • about boxwoods

  • acid loving plants

  • adding climbing roses to your landscape

  • adding value to your home with landscaping

  • add some splash to your garden with a fountain

  • all about riding lawn mowers

  • annuals or perennials thats the question

  • arborvitae a multi use plant

  • are your houseplants safe

  • are you new to garden fish ponds

  • asthma friendly gardens

  • attracting wild birds

  • avoid the how much hassle when buying firewood

  • avoid transplant shock

  • a compost primer

  • a dozen tips for producing low allergy gardens

  • a guide to outdoor gas fireplaces

  • a hobby greenhouse will get you growing

  • a look at flower bulbs for sale

  • a new outdoor craft idea for all ages

  • a quick guide to fish pond bridges

  • basics of landscape design

  • basics of pruning

  • beware of toxic mulch

  • bluebirds

  • blue wild flowers for your garden

  • brick patio weed control

  • brighten your path by installing decorative landscape lighting

  • building a garden from nothing at all

  • building liner ponds

  • building or decorating your home requires house plans

  • build your own storage sheds

  • burnings bushes brilliant fall foliage

  • butterfly gardening

  • butterfly gardens for your region

  • caring for and planting a balled in burlap christmas tree

  • caring for a living christmas tree

  • choosing roses for your landscape

  • choosing the right roses for your garden

  • common landscape problems and how to fix them

  • complete home rehab in 10 days

  • composting the easy way

  • concerning mulch part one

  • concerning mulch part two

  • concrete cutting the unknown niche

  • constructing water walls a guide to common mistakes

  • construction loan basics

  • container gardening indoors and outdoors

  • container gardening in the metro

  • courtyard gardens planning tips

  • creating a budget for your landscape

  • creative landscaping with railroad ties

  • daylily a perennial favorite

  • decorating around the garden

  • decorating with rocks the beauty of rustic decor

  • decorative stone uses for landscaping

  • deer dont eat dragons

  • developing the perfect landscaping idea

  • do it yourself landscape design where to begin

  • do it yourself preformed pond kit project

  • dream yard

  • driveway landscaping

  • easy fall propagation techniques

  • edible trees and plants

  • enhance your garden with beautiful edging

  • enhance your home

  • enjoy rose gardening

  • environmentally safe ways to remove weeds

  • evergreens to use for landscaping

  • evergreens you can use for landscaping

  • extending the living space outdoors working with color

  • fall the best time to plan next springs landscape project

  • features of landscape design software

  • feeding your plants

  • fertilizing to create more blossoms on your flowers flowering shrubs and trees

  • finding anything you need about landscaping on the net

  • finding a flower bulb company

  • finding cheap plants for your landscape

  • find a building contractor to remember

  • fine gardening secrets revealed

  • flowers are a great gift

  • freestanding and lean to greenhouses

  • free plants seeds and flowers

  • gardening creating your own private paradise

  • gardening for birds

  • gardening information and design ideas

  • gardening tips and tricks for late autumn part one

  • gardening using bulbs in your landscaping

  • gardening your personality the greens of growth

  • garden fencing

  • garden furniture a natural extension of the home

  • garden furniture a touch of exuberance to your landscape

  • garden gnomes to add whimsey to your garden

  • garden moss how to make moss on your landscape rocks and garden statues

  • garden supplies are the gardeners paint and brush

  • gazebos to build or not to build that is the question

  • geomantic rules in the living room

  • geranium plants

  • getting raw land not a raw deal

  • getting the best price for your home includes landscaping for curb appeal

  • getting your hands on a good pair of gardening gloves

  • give your garden a rippling effect add a tranquil pond

  • granite might of stone info and facts

  • granite preformed rock pond kits

  • growing and caring for rhododendrons and azaleas

  • handcrafted garden bridges builds traditional arched span bridges with modern flair

  • have you been looking for the best advice in relation to landscape designs

  • help your backyard plants get the nutrients they need

  • hidden costs of landscaping

  • hillside landscaping properly watering hillside and sloped landscapes

  • hills and holes not part of your landscaping design

  • history of bonsai

  • history of wild roses

  • home floor plan designing for your future home

  • home improvement loans

  • home security your yard is the first line of defence

  • horticultural therapy

  • how and when to plant roses

  • how to attract butterflies to your garden

  • how to attract butterfly activity

  • how to build a simple potting bench

  • how to build a waterfall

  • how to care for your outdoor water fountains

  • how to change a rooms dimension using wall pictures

  • how to choose a gazebo

  • how to choose a riding lawn mower for your property

  • how to create an oasis of serenity with a backyard garden hot tub

  • how to decorate your space with wall art

  • how to finance a new extension

  • how to finance a new kitchen

  • how to get rid of standing water in your yard

  • how to grow blueberries

  • how to grow flowering dogwood trees from seed

  • how to grow japanese red maples from seed

  • how to grow ornamental grasses

  • how to grow wildflowers

  • how to keep your brick patio weed free

  • how to make a weed dabber

  • how to make money at home growing small landscape plants on 1 20 acre or less

  • how to make money growing rooted cuttings and selling them wholesale

  • how to make your own moss landscape rock and garden statues

  • how to modify your landscaping to protect your house from burglars

  • how to plant a tree

  • how to plant rose bushes in landscaping your garden

  • how to use annuals in landscaping your garden

  • how to use biennials perennials in landscaping your garden

  • how to use color in your perennial garden

  • how to use flower beds in landscaping your garden

  • how to use hedges in landscaping

  • how to use home decor accessories to create a new look in a room

  • how to use vines in landscaping your home

  • hummingbirds jewels of the air

  • improve your homes landscape in 6 easy steps

  • improving curb appeal

  • index

  • installing landscape lighting

  • internet marketing and advertising for the green industry

  • irrigation installation maintenance time savers

  • is a landscape architect really necessary

  • is landscape fabric even necessary in landscaping

  • japanese barberry a multi use plant

  • japanese gardens basic design questions that should be addressed

  • japanese gardens vs western gardens

  • japanese garden styles which one is the best for you

  • jump start your garden with seedlings cuttings

  • keeping soil healthy

  • keeping your water garden clean

  • kick start your landscape with winter gardening tips

  • landscape design

  • landscape design creating balance in home landscaping

  • landscape lighting design ideas to showcase your home

  • landscape plans resolved

  • landscaping 3 ways to use concrete in your yard

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  • landscaping ideas discover desert landscaping plants

  • landscaping ideas using landscaping rock for maximum effect

  • landscaping stone

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  • landscaping with roses

  • lawn care tips

  • lawn edging

  • lawn tractors safety

  • layer your plantings

  • laying out your landscape part two

  • laying out your new landscape

  • light up your garden and brighten your life

  • light up your kitchen with the right lighting

  • low cost home landscaping tips

  • makeover magic how to remodel your deck or patio in less than a day

  • making your garden bloom with flower gardening

  • managing pond motives and expectations

  • minimizing runoff and erosion along your lakeshore stream or river property

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  • mow edge the basics of lawn care

  • mulch your flower bulbs in the fall for a beautiful spring display

  • new for 2006 granite flexible preformed rock ponds

  • online gardening catalogues at your disposal

  • organic gardening going back to the basics

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  • ornamental plants that improve bird habitats

  • outdoor lighting fixtures great selection available online

  • outdoor patio furniture exploring the benefits of teak

  • patios the new trend in home remodels

  • patio design and patio furniture the use of focal points

  • patio design expanding your home outdoors

  • patio ponds

  • perennials versus annuals

  • pictures of landscaping using other peoples ideas to design your landscape

  • planning a serenity garden

  • planning a water garden

  • planning next years garden

  • planting and caring for flower bulbs

  • planting white pine seedlings

  • plant hardiness zones

  • plan before you plant

  • plan for winter plantings

  • pond pumps vs pool pumps

  • preparing to build wooden fences in the landscape

  • pre spring garden planning

  • professional decorating tips for fireplace mantels

  • protecting your landscape from insects

  • pruning basics

  • pruning weeping cherry trees and other grafted and budded ornamentals

  • putting passion back into home decorating

  • reliableremodeler com

  • riding lawn mowers machines fun to ride and extremely cool to look at

  • rid your garden of slugs

  • river birch trees

  • rooftop deck makeover

  • rotator

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  • save money on home improvement projects

  • saving energy by planting nursery stock and windbreaks

  • secrets of hydroponics gardening

  • seeing the light

  • selecting roses for the garden

  • selecting the right water feature for your garden

  • selling your house mow your lawn

  • selling your house trim your shrubs

  • simple balcony makeover

  • site drainage problems

  • some thoughts on planting roses

  • spring into lawn mowing

  • spring is around the corner how is your garden

  • spring planting tips

  • starting a shade garden

  • staying focused on the project

  • store seasonal items in your own self storage unit

  • summer gardening tips

  • summer lawn care tips

  • teak furniture the ideal furniture for lifelong outdoors use

  • terrace gardening and landscaping ideas

  • there is an art to perfect landscaping

  • the 7 schools of feng shui

  • the advantages of edible landscaping

  • the american cranberry bush

  • the art of landscaping your garden

  • the basic principles of landscape design

  • the beautiful rose of sharon

  • the benefits of landscaping

  • the birth of a small container flower garden

  • the dawn redwood tree beyond fast grow

  • the enduring alluring gazebo

  • the gardening tool you need

  • the good the bad and the buggy

  • the importance of bedroom design in a home decoration project

  • the incredible daylily

  • the magic of flowers

  • the many types of palm trees

  • the minimal garden

  • the pollen trapping power of a lawn

  • the secret of rooting cuttings

  • the terrorists favorite weed castor bean

  • the true beauty of climbing roses

  • the versatile reciprocating saw the power tool of your dreams

  • the viburnum blackhaw

  • things to consider while designing a guest bedroom

  • things you should know about gardening

  • three easy garden designs you can create

  • tips for backyard fish ponds care

  • tips for building a song bird bird house

  • tips for choosing a landscaping firm

  • tips for keeping costs down when landscaping

  • tips for planning your landscape

  • tips for preparing a planting bed

  • tips for saving water for your landscaping

  • tips for shopping smart for the garden

  • tips on how to plant roses

  • tips to improve the functionality and atmosphere of your patio with plants

  • trades and barter are my favorites

  • training beautiful flowering shrubs into unique flowering trees

  • tranquility in your own back yard

  • transplanting tips

  • trees in the home landscape

  • tree and shrub care programs

  • tree pruning tips

  • turn your patio into a voluminous vegetable garden

  • tylers lock wedding venue extraordinaire reborn from the ruins of a canal pumphouse

  • types of roses to use for landscaping your home

  • types of vines for landscaping your home

  • using landscape design software

  • using the propagation technique known as budding to grow beautiful ornamental trees

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